Fodor's upCLOSE Great Britain, 2nd Edition: The Guide that Gets You to the Heart and Soul of Great Britain [Paperback]

Fodor's (Author)

Book Description

Series: Fodor's upCLOSE | Publication Date: February 8, 2000

Fodor's upCLOSE Great Britain"Good writing and a sassy attitude." -- Chicago Sun-Times

"Takes you places locals love and tourists don't know about." -- American Way magazine

"Perfect for finding bargains." -- Shape magazine

Designed for people who want to travel well and spend less: With candid reviews and a fresh outlook, Fodor's upCLOSE points the way to authentic experiences that will take you away from the crowds and close to the culture -- without having to spend a fortune.

Great places to stay that don't cost a fortune -- From Victorian inns and Regency town houses to cottage B&Bs and tidy hostels.
The best places to eat, drink, and play with the locals -- From ye olde pubs and tea shops to Shakespeare stages and art festivals.
On-the-money insights into local culture, history, and sights.
Great side trips and adventures beyond the obvious
Packed with savvy tips and practical information -- From airfare deals to tips on losing the crowds.
Clear, readable maps

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Fodor's upCLOSE Great Britain"Good writing and a sassy attitude." -- Chicago Sun-Times

"Takes you places locals love and tourists don't know about." -- American Way magazine

"Perfect for finding bargains." -- Shape magazine

Designed for people who want to travel well and spend less: With candid reviews and a fresh outlook, Fodor's upCLOSE points the way to authentic experiences that will take you away from the crowds and close to the culture -- without having to spend a fortune.

Great places to stay that don't cost a fortune -- From Victorian inns and Regency town houses to cottage B&Bs and tidy hostels.
The best places to eat, drink, and play with the locals -- From ye olde pubs and tea shops to Shakespeare stages and art festivals.
On-the-money insights into local culture, history, and sights.
Great side trips and adventures beyond the obvious
Packed with savvy tips and practical information -- From airfare deals to tips on losing the crowds.
Clear, readable maps

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Traveling upCLOSE

Take a train through Wales. Stay in a bargain B&B (and get mothered with a full English breakfast). Shop for a picnic at the Queen's grocers. Prowl London's flea markets. Have lunch in Dickens's favorite pub. Go to a festival. Commune with Stonehenge. Memorize the symphony of Edinburgh's streets. In other words, if you want to experience the heart and soul of Great Britain, whatever you do, don't spend too much money.

The deep and rich experience of Great Britain that every true traveler yearns for is one of the things in life that money can't buy. In fact, if you have it, don't use it. Traveling lavishly is the surest way to turn yourself into a sideline traveler. Restaurants with white-glove service are great -- sometimes -- but they're usually not the best place to find the perfect ploughman's pie. Doormen at plush hotels have their place, but not when your look-alike room could be anywhere from Düsseldorf to Detroit. Better to stay in a more intimate place that truly gives you the atmosphere you traveled so far to experience. Don't just stand and watch -- jump into the spirit of what's around you.

If you want to see Great Britain up close and savor the essence of the country and its people in all their charming glory, this book is for you. We'll show you the local culture, the offbeat sights, the bars and cafés where tourists rarely tread, and the B&Bs and other hostelries where you'll meet fellow travelers -- places where the locals would send their friends. And because you'll probably want to see the famous places if you haven't already been there, we give you tips on losing the crowds, plus the quirky and obscure facts you want as well as the basics everyone needs.


Our Gang

Who are we? We're artists and poets, slackers and straight arrows, and travel writers and journalists who in our less hedonistic moments report on local news and spin out an occasional opinion piece. What we share is a certain footloose spirit and a passion for England, Wales, and Scotland, which we celebrate in this guidebook. Shamelessly, we've revealed all of our favorite places and our deepest, darkest travel secrets, all so that you can learn from our past mistakes and experience the best part of Great Britain to the fullest.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Fodor's; 2 edition (February 8, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679003797
• ISBN-13: 978-0679003793
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,904,258 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like having a friend show you the area's best-kept secrets!, April 9, 2000

By 

Elizabeth (Lafayette, Louisiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fodor's upCLOSE Great Britain, 2nd Edition: The Guide that Gets You to the Heart and Soul of Great Britain (Paperback)

This UpClose guide gave accurate descriptions of the restaurants, accomodations, and cultural sites that we visited. My friend from England was even amazed at some of the places that I introduced him to! It was witty and informative and I loved the style of the book. Very helpful if you are planning a trip and want some places off the beaten path or new approaches to the standards.

1.0 out of 5 stars Rick Steves is better, June 18, 2003

By 

"go_beavs" (Vancouver, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fodor's upCLOSE Great Britain, 2nd Edition: The Guide that Gets You to the Heart and Soul of Great Britain (Paperback)

I bought this book, and the Rick Steves version. After reading both on the plane, this book never came out of my bag again. It doesn't flow, as each chapter seems to be written by a different person.